Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

With the permission of the Acting Chairman and the House, I ask that what I have to say not be regarded as my maiden speech, which I intend to deliver tomorrow.

I welcome the appointment of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, which has been greeted warmly around the country and does a great deal for economic confidence. I welcome the Bill, which more than fulfils an election commitment, particularly the introduction of an extra month of flexibility, extending back to 31 March.

I am distinctly puzzled by Deputy Burton's argument. If I heard her correctly, she talked about a television debate on the Monday before the election was called. If so, she is referring to late April and I do not understand how that could have influenced people to miss the new deadline of 31 March.

I welcome the level playing field in respect of newer and older houses. The Tánaiste made the very cogent point in his speech that this should reduce the need for people who want to avail of the incentive to have to commute from new houses. Bearing in mind the maintenance of the older housing stock, certainly at this stage of our development, there should not be discrimination between new and old.

This is a very short debate but the issue was debated ad nauseam during the election campaign.

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